Tolles back to defend title at Etowah Valley Pro-Am

Published: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 11:08 p.m.

It's bad news for the competition, but it's always great news for the annual Etowah Valley Pro-Am at Etowah Valley Country Club: Today's 17th edition will once again be highlighted by former PGA Tour regular Tommy Tolles.

Tolles fired an 8-under 64 last year to win the title by four strokes over Nathan Olivo, who is the head golf pro at The Cliffs at Glassy.

"Tommy's back, and Nathan will be back, too. It will probably be between them again and probably Mike Lawrence. He's an excellent golfer," Larry Carter, director of golf at Etowah, said. "There are some other professionals who could give them a run. There's Trey Wyatt from Connestee Falls, Steve DeWitt from Kenmure and Ben Ballentine from Hendersonville Country Club."

Tolles, 46, last played in a professional tour tournament in 2009, when he played on the Nationwide Tour. In the late 1990s, he was a solid PGA player, as he tied for second in The Players Championship in 1996. In 1997, just his third year on the Tour, he had nine top 10s and two top fives in majors (third at the Masters and tied for fifth at the U.S. Open).

Twenty-seven teams, which consist of one professional and three amateurs, will tee off at noon today with a shotgun start.

The tournament benefits the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County.

"For the past 16 years, a host of community businesses and individuals have participated and helped raise well over $300,000 to benefit several local charities," said Ken Adams, 2013 Tournament Chairman. "We are looking forward to this great day of golf benefitting a great cause."

<p>It's bad news for the competition, but it's always great news for the annual Etowah Valley Pro-Am at Etowah Valley Country Club: Today's 17th edition will once again be highlighted by former PGA Tour regular Tommy Tolles. </p><p>Tolles fired an 8-under 64 last year to win the title by four strokes over Nathan Olivo, who is the head golf pro at The Cliffs at Glassy.</p><p>"Tommy's back, and Nathan will be back, too. It will probably be between them again and probably Mike Lawrence. He's an excellent golfer," Larry Carter, director of golf at Etowah, said. "There are some other professionals who could give them a run. There's Trey Wyatt from Connestee Falls, Steve DeWitt from Kenmure and Ben Ballentine from Hendersonville Country Club."</p><p>Tolles, 46, last played in a professional tour tournament in 2009, when he played on the Nationwide Tour. In the late 1990s, he was a solid PGA player, as he tied for second in The Players Championship in 1996. In 1997, just his third year on the Tour, he had nine top 10s and two top fives in majors (third at the Masters and tied for fifth at the U.S. Open).</p><p>Twenty-seven teams, which consist of one professional and three amateurs, will tee off at noon today with a shotgun start. </p><p>The tournament benefits the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County. </p><p>"For the past 16 years, a host of community businesses and individuals have participated and helped raise well over $300,000 to benefit several local charities," said Ken Adams, 2013 Tournament Chairman. "We are looking forward to this great day of golf benefitting a great cause."</p>